The Gate House, Oakamoor Near Alton Towers

Staffordshire. Sleeps up to 4

This Grade II listed former crossing keeper's home is in a fantastic location in the village of Oakamoor which is surrounded by walking and cycling tracks. You will be impressed by the unusual exterior reputedly designed by Pugin (architect of the Houses of Parliament) as soon as you arrive and the cottage is full of quirky nods to the building's heritage and the North Staffordshire railway which ran past. With original stonework, quarry tiled floors and beautiful features, the cottage has been stunningly restored to reflect its former life. There is a well-equipped kitchen with a Belfast sink, a fabulous range cooker and a very useful utility which houses the laundry facilities and provides a great place to leave your muddy boots at the end of the day. The delightful dining room has a feature fireplace which is currently not in use and the sitting room has large windows and a cast iron electric stove to keep you warm and create a cosy atmosphere. The family bathroom is also on the ground floor and boasts a freestanding roll top bath where you can soak away any stresses and strains at the end of the day. Upstairs are the two bedrooms which have views out to the village and are lovely rooms to wake up in. The lawned garden has a patio area with furniture and there is the unusual addition of the fenced off entrance to the Oakamoor railway tunnel at the far end. This cottage is the perfect base for friends, families or walkers as routes lead from the doorstep out into the surrounding countryside. With Alton Towers, so many places of historic interest, the beautiful countryside and lovely towns and villages of the Peak District National Park all nearby, this cottage is fantastically located, will appeal to most, and is a fantastic choice for a break away at any time of the year.